Emily Dean
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Posts posted by Emily Dean
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For you Basil lovers there are a multitude of Sherlock films on Amazon prime for those of you who subscribe. Nigel Bruce plays Dr. Watson with his usual alacrity. Obviously the films have never been updated so they are rather blurry but still there is Basil playing his violin and solving "clean" crimes. The movies then didn't show the "carnage" of the murders which is a nice touch compared to current offerings.
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I was "unGeorge" last night and watched a Basil Rathbone Sherlock mystery from my Amazon watchlist. Will return to George tonight on my watchlist as I have watched FROM HERE TO ETERNITY for an eternity. I really wish TCM would play some of the lesser known films during the prime time movie opportunity to mix-up. I cannot imagine any classic fan who hasn't seen the above film...
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Francis Ford Coppola's YOU'RE A BIG BOY NOW is scheduled to air on February 4.
Highly recommended.
Aha!!!!! this is the reason behind the Let's Drink Wine campaign, now we know. My campaign is "Let's Whing"
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Glad you had a chance to watch it. We should probably compose a quick list of George Sanders films on Amazon Prime:
THE STRANGE AFFAIR OF UNCLE HARRY
THE STRANGE WOMAN (with Hedy Lamarr)
THE SON OF MONTE CRISTO
SUNDOWN
A TOUCH OF LARCENY
NURSE EDITH CAVELL
Not to worry TB...they are all on my Watchlist. THE GHOST AND MRS.MUIR is on this coming Thursday afternoon as well however I believe TCM must be "Let's Watch THE GHOST...etc) as it has been on way to much for my liking. I like variety.
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calvin,
I'm glad you mentioned THE STRANGE AFFAIR OF UNCLE HARRY (not Henry), because we haven't really discussed it yet in the thread. In addition to Geraldine Fitzgerald who is simply marvelous, we have Ella Raines as the other sister George wants to marry.
The reason it feels so Hitchcockian is because Hitch's script supervisor and assistant producer in some of his earlier films was Joan Harrison, and she produced this movie for Universal. She made other films and also produced Alfred Hitchcock Presents.
THE STRANGE AFFAIR OF UNCLE HARRY is available on Amazon Prime in a beautiful print (probably the one that was restored and "given" to Olive to release on home video). I think Olive is a subdivision of Universal, meant to distribute the classic Paramount and Republic films Universal acquired.
I just finished watching this film and it was fantastic....what an ending and it still has me in a puzzle. Great film and I see there are other "George" films on there as well. They are all added to my watch list. Now I am able to zone out on George. Yea!!!!
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Oh dear....Are You Being Served is one of my all time British comedys. Sad sad that the era of when you were both funny and politically incorrect and everyone still managed a good laugh without everything being considered ill advised. Now you would have to show this along with Benny Hill and other British comedys with trigger warnings and most likely greater than an R rating. Oh the good old days.
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Did dear old Frank turn to drink when he realized his daughter Sofia simply could not act?? I wonder.
The other unanswered question is....will both Joe and Hermann not only turn to drink but turn in their graves at seeing Ben becoming a Huckster. What a sad turn of events for the Mankiewicz family. I don't imagine any of the family objected to wine however to see the family sink so low is most likely a nadir in their family history.
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Basil was on yesterday in ADVENTURES OF ROBIN HOOD. I love that movie and watch it each time for different aspects, this time my Basil aspect. Along with George Sanders he is one of my favourites from the British theatre. Would enjoy a month of Basil as SOTM or SUTS. Come on Basil...
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Read a little about Storm on imdb. When RKO let her contract lapse very early in her career, tiny little Poverty Row studio Monogram swept her up, and she was still with them a few years later when they launched their more ambitious Allied Artists imprint with this film. They were hoping for their own Judy Garland or Deanna Durbin, I guess, although curiously, they overdub her singing voice in this film, even though she went on to have some hit records a few years later.
For many of us who experienced early television (and I mean early) no one will forget Gale Storm as the main character in "My Little Margie" which ran for three seasons and is the daughter of Charles Farrell (in the series) who himself is a former silent film star. It was a great little show and then Gale went on to her own TV series and Zasu Pitts in both series. I don't believe I have ever seen either series in re-runs although it appears that it maybe in the public domain. However there may not be any tapes. Not many in early TV were as forward thinking as Desi Arnaz in keeping copies on tape or whatever they used back then.
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Victor Moore really is a charming actor, who while he often played a similar "type" in different films (slightly addled, often childlike men who maybe weren't the brightest, likely as a result of his role in SWING TIME)- he's a smart enough actor that he is able to do variations on the character. He is terrific in MAKE WAY FOR TOMORROW, although it is depressing as hell, GOLD DIGGERS OF 1937, and (especially) in the JUST PAY THE TWO DOLLARS! segment of ZIEGFELD FOLLIES.
here it is:
I believe one of his best films is MAKE WAY FOR TOMORROW. He and Beulah Bondi were the major stars (as opposed to their usual supporting roles) that really touches you way down in your heart. It speaks volumes today about old age and the disengagement of the younger generation with senior citizens. If you have not seen it I highly recommend it as a solid film with a very meaningful message (although it does have a tendency to hammer in its point).
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Two greatest inventions since the TV itself are the remote Mute and channel changer.
Don't forget the closed caption button.
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If i had to watch Mankiewicz give away the ending to CITIZEN KANE one more time....
PS- I don't think they gave Herman that sled any more than he wrote the screenplay all by himself. He stole that ****.
Regardless of how Herman acquired the sled...even its hint at authenticity would prevent me from selling it. I would find a way to use it as a coffee table or some other unique piece of furniture. What suprised me is that in talking about the sled Ben didn't mention that this is also the centinary of Orsen's birth (did we have a TCM tribute?) and there was an interesting article about his life in the current New Yorker.
Personally I have never really cared who wrote the film, it seems immaterial to the fact that I find it highly enjoyable.
Noted yesterday they had several one reel wonders, Joe Doakes, Fitzpatrick Travelougues and a silly film on one man projectiles. I love the one reels and especially the Joe Doakes and Fitzpatrick series....and rather partial to the Robert Benchley series. Highly more entertaining than the Wine Club.
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Great "George" news...THE GHOST AND MRS. MUIR is on the schedule for December 10, @ 1700 hours CST so set your reminders accordingly. According to the Vanderbeet biography George appeared with Gene Tierney in three films, SUNDOWN, SON OF FURY and THE GHOST AND MRS. MUIR. The biography also notes that following his divorce he stayed at Gene's home following his divorce from his wife Susan.
George offers a little salt and pepper to the treacle dispensed in the movie and I really like the manner in which they meet. Anyway set your timers and enjoy a TV dinner with George.
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lets see john nesbitt's passing parade shorts too. I wanna see 'our old car'.
I love the John Nesbitt's features as well as the Fitzpatrick travelogs (before the advent of Burger King, interstates and other horrors of the present traveling conditions. I also like the Robert Benchly features as well as John Doaks. The Wine Club is a ridiculous idea and those responsible should be locked in a room and forced to watch it for 24 hours or more until they start to see the stupidity of the concept. Also all those adds for DVDs etc. under the guise of News of the Month...mostly adverts of the month. And don't get me started on the movie auction....ugh.
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I am starting to think John Mills is my favourite British actor of all time (with Dirk Bogarde a close second).
Recently, I discovered Mills had done a guest-starring role on the old 70s fantasy sitcom Nanny and the Professor. His daughter Juliet was the star of the program. The episode in which he appeared is available for streaming on Hulu. I enjoyed watching it...and while he was older then, he was still in fine form. What a great actor.
Well Top Billed I don't know if I can find a favourite British actor, there are so many good ones. I think the quality of British actors is directly related to the fact that most of them get their start on the stage with time to develop their skills. They were not necessarily groomed for the movies, but groomed for their acting abilities. Anyway I would suggest that we add focusing on British films, directors and actors along with persuing our George. Like I said in the George segment, there are so many interesting trails that the programmers are able to develop in keeping us interested in classic films. I like classic films because there are so many different ways to explore them.
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Popcorn sounds perfect, Emily.
I think the idea of showing the Saint and Falcon films on Saturdays is a very good one.

Top Billed: I want to thank the programmers for having an evening devoted to my and your favourite, George Sanders. I really enjoyed watching MOON and SIXPENCE, very original and using the colour spot for the paintings and changing the colour of the B&W for the island sequence. I forgot about Eric Blore being in the film as well.
I definitely hope the programmers realize that there are many different themes to focus on within the realm of classic movies and to emphasize the different aspects of both the actors and all the behind the scene contributors, not just the directors or producers. Particularly in reference to those such as George, Eric Blore, Frank Pangborn and others that lead to the different factors that contribute to classic movies.
And thanks to you TB for keeping focusing on the many facets of classic movies. Now...let us move forward for more George, a versatile and added benefit to the classic movie venue.
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I've heard many things about Frank Sinatra, an equal measure of good and bad. Certainly lots of bad. But what I've heard that affects me more than anything he did or said in his lifetime is his music.
I remember I was disappointed when I first found out that he never wrote any of the many songs he sang. I couldn't believe it, because every song he sings, he sounds like he means it. He owns the song. And I came to realize that he was a master musician, his voice was his instrument, and the way he used it was a proof perfect that he had a deep understanding of what he was singing, the melody, the song structure, the lyrics.
Nobody interprets a song like he did.
The other way Sinatra demonstrated his instinctive musicianship lies in the songs he selected; almost always truly great compositions, wonderful songs that are just as good today as the day they were written.
All this is to say, I am a huge fan of his music - whether he composed it or not doesn't matter - and like all artists I admire (be they musician, singer, film director, actor, writer, or whatever ) - I can and do separate the artist's personal life from their art.
I neither know nor care about the various nasty things Sinatra probably said and did throughout his life. All I care about is his superb performances of the songs he chose to sing.
Count me in the "I don't care" re: personal life issues. It's the music that counts and 100 years in the future the vocalizations and interpretations will still be played...well to some of us anyway. Watched the TV special last night and it was truly a work of song....only Frank has to answer for his personal life choices and maybe his singing and vocalization makes up for some of those. I don't know, it is not within my purview nor am I able to judge.
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I watched IN WHICH WE SERVE yesterday afternoon and found myself ready for a series of British Lion films and J.Arthur Rank films for a "SPOTLIGHT". The movie is a delight and again Celia Johnson, John Mills and even Richard Attenburough shine through...John with a major part and Richard a small but focused element in the story. You wouldn't recognize, by watching the movie, how he would turn out in BRIGHTON ROCK.
Anyway the movie is a great tribute to the British Navy who really took in on the helm, so to speak, during WWII and the restrained but dignified roles of both British cinema veterans and cinema stars to be. Don't forget as well, this is the 70th anniversary of BRIEF ENCOUNTERS as well. Got to go, it's past time for Elevenses.
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I have my popcorn ready...my heating pad to keep my feet warm and I am "warmed up" for a night of George. Again I urge all George fans to keep up Top Billed's excellent efforts and to keep pursuing George as a topic for either SOTH or one day in 31 Days of Oscar...or even just a Saturday run of "The Falcon" and "The Saint".
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great thread. I have always been a huge Rathbone fan; glad to see I'm not alone.
Me too...a Basil fan not counting Basil Fawlty another great Basil. Would like to see all the Basil Sherlock films including the ones done during WWII where Sherlock takes on Nazis and other bad guys in WWII.
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Personally, while I too, like the movie, it doesn't necessarily rank up their with many of my favorites.
But I can't find much fault with Welles' portrayal of a self serving black marketeer. NOR the cinematography( or the locations, too).
But honestly, I'd like to see a print of this film MINUS the annoying zither music score.
Yeah, I was told by some of my elders that when the movie came out, zither music was largely unknown in the States, and quite novel, and so it became popular for a spell after the movie came out.
I never cared much for zither music myself(although, as an itinerate musician, I do respect those who play the instrument well, having given it a comical try myself!).
But these are all subjective comments. I also like THE MAGNIFICENT AMBERSONS much better than many of the so-called "experts" claim to, so............
Sepiatone
Sepiatone: Well I believe that Reed chose the Zither music to fit the film and does suit the ambiance of a mournful torn Vienna....from its great period to this one of a nadir in its grand history. I too love THE MAGNIFICANT AMBERSONS and greatful that Orson use Joseph Cotten...one of my favourites in acting especially in THE THIRD MAN, PORTRAIT OF JENNY and SHADOW OF A DOUBT. Carol Reed's movie BRIEF ENCOUNTER...which is 70 years old this year.
With THE THIRD MAN and other Carol Reed, Graham Greene movies would make a great Spotlight...just a spotlight on British films would be much appreciated by me. Thanks for the response.
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Is this for real????? Please let me understand the point of this post. Thanks.
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Yes, I would be sorely disappointed (insert chuckle) if they did not trot out every new Sinatra-related product they can think of to capitalize on his 100th birthday. It sort of demeans the integrity of the film work when we see a strong performance of his in something like FROM HERE TO ETERNITY tied to these cheesy blatantly commercial attempts to cash in on a dead guy.
Yes...I don't want Frank's memory and centenary sullied by shameful advertising and other items. His legend lives on without hoopla. I bought a great box set of Frank's TV shows and concerts and it was well worth the money. I plan on watching those this coming month in addition to his films. I really like his earlier films...Anchors Aweigh, On the Town, and other MGM movies. I would like to see more of his movies when he appeared with Tommy Dorsey.
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Ultimate GEORGE SANDERS thread
in Your Favorites
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I go for "Let's George" in keeping with the annoying TCM theme of making verbs out of nouns so why not a proper noun into a verb. Nothing on TCM today so will be watching George...oh I know
"Watching George" is a title to consider however it is too proper back to let's "whatever".